COS Reads is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the parent organization for grassroots campaigns like Save Rockrimmon Library. Born out of the efforts to preserve the Rockrimmon Library, COS Reads is dedicated to advocating for community spaces and equitable library access, both in Northwest Colorado Springs and beyond.

Our mission is twofold:

(1) Short-Term Goals: Establishing an interim community library to serve as a gathering space, offer traditional library services, and maintain a sense of community connection while advocating for systemic change within the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD).

(2) Long-Term Goals: Promoting greater transparency, accountability, and oversight within PPLD, including advocating for a balanced and skilled Board of Trustees. Our ultimate goal is to support systemic reforms and work toward the reopening of a library in Northwest Colorado Springs.

COS Reads provides a platform for current and future campaigns, ensuring our efforts can adapt and grow to meet community needs. Through volunteer mobilization, donations, and legal action, we are building a stronger, more connected community while ensuring public libraries remain accessible for everyone.

The interim community library will serve as a gathering space for Northwest Colorado Springs residents, providing traditional library services and fostering community connection. Our goal is to create a volunteer-led space where patrons can access books, participate in educational and social programs, and host community meetings.

This interim library will also preserve the spirit of Rockrimmon Library while we continue to advocate for long-term solutions. Specific features will depend on available resources, but our vision includes:

• A lending library with a curated selection of books for all ages.

• Dedicated areas for children, students, and seniors.

• A community meeting room for local groups and events.

• Programs and workshops led by volunteers and local experts.

Stay tuned for updates as we finalize our plans and work toward making this vision a reality!

Update: Our library is a reality now! Please visit us at 950 Vindicator Dr. in person or on our website at readingattherocks.org

Your support is essential to achieving our goals. Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate: Every dollar helps! Contributions support our interim community library, legal efforts, and long-term advocacy for systemic reforms at PPLD. Donate by check or online—visit saverockrimmonlibrary.com for details.

2. Volunteer: We need passionate community members to help with everything from organizing events to distributing flyers. Let us know how you’d like to get involved!

3. Spread the Word: Share our story with friends, family, and neighbors. Encourage them to join our email list and follow us on social media for updates.

4. Advocate: Contact city officials and PPLD leadership to express your support for library access and accountability. Personalized letters and emails make a big impact.

5. Attend Meetings: Show up at public meetings to demonstrate our community’s commitment to libraries and community spaces.

Together, we can create a stronger, more connected community. Thank you for standing with COS Reads!

Yes! COS Reads is an approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our Tax ID (EIN) is 33-2257385. A receipt will be emailed or mailed to you for your records. Thank you for supporting our mission to create a stronger, more connected community!

In Colorado, the process for appointing library trustees is guided by Colorado Library Law, which requires an establishing authority to interview interested applicants and determine who should be nominated for appointment. Although this requirement is consistent statewide, the specific process varies across library districts.

In Denver, for example, the mayor appoints individuals to serve on the Denver Public Library Commission, which is responsible for the strategic direction of the library.

Learn more: https://www.denverlibrary.org/library-commission

Other districts involve multiple local entities. High Plains Library District, for instance, includes the mayor, the school district, and county commissioners in the nomination process.

HPLD bylaws:

https://www.mylibrary.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HPLD-Bylaws-Updated-7.15.19-Ratified-9.11.19.pdf

Here at Pikes Peak Library District, trustee appointments are handled by a Joint Appointment Committee (JAC). This committee consists of two Colorado Springs City Council members and two El Paso County Commissioners. Together, they interview applicants and agree on a nominee to put forward for approval by the full City Council and Board of County Commissioners.

More information: https://ppld.org/administration/board-trustees

➤ One difficulty is that with only four members, the Joint Appointment Committee can easily deadlock — or worse, allow three members to override the fourth without meaningful discussion.

➤ Another challenge is that the state statute and bylaws are extremely skeletal. They’re designed to be expanded so each district can tailor them to its needs while still complying with state law. Our district has chosen not to build on these bare-bones bylaws, leaving too much room for interpretation and, at times, leading to “low-bar” outcomes.

To officially obtain a seat on the PPLD Board of Trustees, a nominee must receive a super-majority vote from both bodies:

󠁯 •󠁏󠁏 At least 3 of the 5 County Commissioners, and

󠁯 •󠁏󠁏 At least 6 of the 9 City Council members must vote in favor of the appointment.

To remove a Trustee, the same number must vote them out.

This collaborative system is designed to ensure that PPLD trustees represent the priorities and values of both the City and the County while supporting the long-term health and direction of the library district.

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Community Input & Legislative Efforts

Some taxpayers feel they should have more direct influence in selecting library trustees. Over the years, there have been attempts to revise Colorado’s laws to create elected—rather than appointed—library boards.

One significant effort was HB19-1048, introduced in 2019, titled Local Election of Library District Trustees, which would have allowed library district voters to decide whether their trustees should be elected.

Bill details: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1048

The bill ultimately did not pass, and no successful revisions have been made to change the structure of trustee appointments in Colorado.

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Challenges and Recent Controversies

➤ The appointment process isn’t always smooth. Locally, there was a high-profile disagreement between the City Council and the County Commissioners over a recent PPLD board nominee. The nominee initially failed to receive enough votes from the City Council for approval:

https://pikespeakbulletin.org/local-culture/nominee-for-library-board-fails-to-win-cos-city-council-approval/

➤ Following extensive public comment and discussion, a later City Council meeting resulted in a reversal, and the nominee was ultimately approved:

https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6786179/Colorado-Springs-City/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Colorado-Springs-council-reaffirms-contested-PPLD-appointment-after-hours-of-public-criticism

➤ Pikes Peak Library District is not alone in experiencing tension around trustee appointments. Other Colorado library districts have faced similar controversies when local governments and community stakeholders have disagreed on nominees.

Examples include:

•󠁏󠁏 Douglas County: https://www.coloradocommunitymedia.com/archives/douglas-county/news/local-government/article_806c0912-ea8e-5214-951e-7abf469983be.html

•󠁏󠁏 Garfield County: https://soprissun.com/peaceful-protest-draws-attention-to-library-board-trustee-interviews/